with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Gintaras Didžiokas and Michał Tomasz Kamiński,
on behalf of the UEN Group
on North Korean asylum seekers, particularly in Thailand

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

European Parliament resolution on North Korea asylum seekers, particularly in Thailand

B6‑0496/06

The European Parliament,

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having regard to its previous resolutions on North Korea,

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having regard to the resolution of 16 April 2003 adopted by the UN Commission on Human Rights,

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having regard to the statement issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the UN Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of 31 May 2006,

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having regards to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) and its Protocol (1967),

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having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.
whereas the DPRK has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

B.
whereas thousands of North Koreans facing wide-spread hunger and repression in their homeland have made their way abroad in recent years, many taking a long and risky land journey through China to arrive in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea and other south east Asian countries,

C.
whereas, according to a UN report, various human rights organisations and victims who have managed to leave North Korea, the government of the DPRK continues to carry out serious patterns of violations, including executions, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as detention of political prisoners in inhumane prison conditions,

D.
whereas Thailand has become an important transit destination for North Koreans fleeing their homeland, thus putting the Thai authorities in a difficult situation vis-à-vis the DPRK, a country with whom they have friendly relations,

E.
whereas 175 North Korean asylum seekers who had fled to Thailand were arrested and charged with illegal entry into the country on 22 August 2006, whereas 16 of them were granted refugee status by the Bangkok office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and were scheduled to leave for South Korea in a few days,

F.
whereas, regardless of their reasons for leaving North Korea, refugees expect to face harsh treatment, long terms of imprisonment and the death penalty if they are deported back to North Korea,

1.
Urges the Government of Thailand, which is a responsible member of the international community, to find a rapid and acceptable solution for these refugees by sending them to a third country of their choice after the expiry of their 30 day jail sentence;

2.
Calls on the state authorities of Thailand to treat the 175 asylum seekers who were arrested and charged with illegal entry into the country on 22 August 2006 in accordance with international human rights law;

3.
Is worried about the fact that North Korean refugees will have no protection on their return to their country and that, in accordance with the Criminal Code of North Korea, they will be committed to imprisonment or suffer the death penalty;

4.
Calls on the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to observe the special procedures established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights;

5.
Repeatedly deplores the lack of cooperation of the DPRK with the international human rights institutions and particularly its refusal to follow the procedures of the UN Commission on Human Rights;

6.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Government of the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.